Patti Labelle Singer and Actor Known for Her Passionate Stage Performances and Family and Friends Gave Labelle the Nickname Patsy
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
African Americans LaBelle, Patti L. L. Cool J.’s first role as an actor came in 1985 in a vancement of Colored People (NAACP). He received a film about the early days of Def Jam Recordings called Source Foundation Image Award for his philanthropy Krush Groove. The next year, he appeared in a film called and his work with JumpStart, a literacy program for low- Wildcats. Although he had only cameo appearances in income children. L. L. Cool J.’s longevity in the enter- both films, he won a starring role in Out of Sync in 1995. tainment industry is a testimony to his versatility and The film did not do well at the box office, but it did help talent. him earn a starring role in a sitcom called In the House. —Alison S. Burke The sitcom aired on NBC from 1995 to 1999. L. L. has appeared in several other films, including Halloween Further Reading H20 (1998), Deep Blue Sea (1999), Any Given Sunday Baughman, Brian. Hip-Hop: L. L. Cool J. Broomall, Pa.: (1999), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), S.W.A.T. (2003), Mason Crest, 2007. This biography for teenage read- and Last Holiday (2006). In 2009, L. L. Cool J. was given ers provides a general overview of the life of L. L. a prominent role as former Navy SEAL and special agent Cool J. and contains many full-color photographs Sam Hanna in the CBS drama series NCIS: Los Angeles. from different stages in his career. In addition to his music and acting careers, L. L. pro- L. L. Cool J. and Karen Hunter. I Make My Own Rules. duced a clothing line called TROOP, which he launched New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1997. This autobiogra- in the mid-1980’s. He also wrote several books, includ- phy chronicles the rapper’s abusive past, his experi- ing his autobiography and a children’s book called And ences in the music industry, and the obstacles and tri- the Winner Is . (2002). umphs he has encountered throughout his life. Michel, Sia. “L. L. Cool J.” In The Vibe History of Hip- Significance Hop, edited by Alan Light. New York: Three Rivers L.L. Cool J. was an influential hip-hop artist, showcasing Press, 1999. A music critic takes an incisive look at the rough-edged New York style of Def Jam Recordings L. L.’s career in the context of contemporary popular to a national, mainstream audience. Between 1985 and music, examining his longevity and mainstream ap- 2006, he released twelve albums, produced nineteen Top peal. Includes discussion of his feuds with rival rap- 10 singles, and received several awards, including pers. Grammy Awards for “Mama Said Knock You Out” in 1992 and “Hey Lover” in 1997. L. L. also won three Im- See also: Omar Epps; Jamie Foxx; Jay-Z; Puff Daddy; age Awards from the National Association for the Ad- Joseph Simmons; Russell Simmons; Will Smith. Patti LaBelle Singer and actor Known for her passionate stage performances and Family and friends gave LaBelle the nickname Patsy. wide vocal range, LaBelle has had a career as a When LaBelle was twelve years old, her parents sepa- singer, a songwriter, and an actor. rated; her father had been unfaithful and abusive to her mother. During her teen years, LaBelle was sexually Born: May 24, 1944; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania abused by her mother’s boyfriends, and she was too Also known as: Patricia Louise Holte (birth name) ashamed to share this fact with anyone. Instead of run- Areas of achievement: Film: acting; Music: pop; ning away, LaBelle found an escape in music, which she Music: rhythm and blues found transformed her, transported her, and saved her life. Early Life When LaBelle started junior high school, she became Patti LaBelle (lah-BEHL) was born on May 24, 1944, to involved deeply in music. The first time she heard the Henry Holte, Jr., and Bertha Holte. Bertha, also known as songs of Gloria Lynne, Dakota Staton, Dinah Washing- Chubby, served food at St. Agnes Hospital before quit- ton, and Sarah Vaughan, LaBelle felt a deep connection ting in order to stay home with her children. Henry to them. Their voices captivated her, and the lyrics and worked at a train factory called Baldwin Locomotive. jazz rhythms moved her spiritually. LaBelle started imi- 953 LaBelle, Patti African Americans der to pursue her singing career. (Twenty years later, LaBelle returned to finish and to get her di- ploma.) Life’s Work By 1962, the group was performing consistently at truck stops, juke joints, and honky-tonks. That same year, the group signed its first recording contract, with the Blue Bell Record Company. The record company president, Harold B. Robinson, renamed the group the Bluebelles. The group performed in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Deep South, and England. While traveling in the South during the 1960’s, the group encountered discrimination and racism. Since they could not stay at motels because African Americans were not permitted, they slept in their car and washed up in the restrooms of national parks. In 1967, the Bluebelles became a trio when Birdsong left the group to sing with the Supremes. Despite the loss of Birdsong, the Bluebelles were a success, appearing at the Apollo Theater. In 1971, they changed their name to Labelle. During the 1970’s, they combined elements of rock, soul, and funk in their music. Their first number one hit was “Lady Marmalade.” Labelle was the first contem- porary pop group and the first African American group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. The girls were also the first African American vocal group to be placed on the cover of Rolling Stone. Patti LaBelle. (Redferns/Getty Images) Labelle continued to tour worldwide until the group decided to separate in 1977 to pursue solo careers. Decades later, the group reunited to release the al- tating these singers. When she sang, she felt free and be- bum Back to Now (2008). gan to understand power of music, which she desired to In 1977, LaBelle released her solo album, Patti share with others. LaBelle, with Epic Records. This album features “Joy to LaBelle began singing in the Beulah Baptist Church Have Your Love,” which reached the Top 20 rhythm- choir. The congregation was stunned by LaBelle’s pow- and-blues dance singles. LaBelle did not achieve the erful voice, which moved them to tears. From that point commercial success for which she had hoped. Other al- on, people from other churches in Philadelphia would bums LaBelle produced included Tasty (1978), It’s Al- visit Beulah Baptist just to hear LaBelle sing. right with Me (1979), Released (1980), The Spirit’s in It When she won first place in her high school talent (1981), and The Best of Patti LaBelle (1982). None show, LaBelle knew she wanted to sing for the rest of her reached the Top 20 charts. life. The first singing group that LaBelle joined was LaBelle did not reach commercial success as a soloist called the Ordettes and was managed by Bernard until 1983, when she released I’m in Love Again. Her Montague. The group sang at local venues in Philadel- song “New Attitude” (1984) reached the pop chart’s top phia, and when it disbanded, Montague found three more twenty. In 1986, LaBelle’s popularity soared with the re- young women—Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, and Cindy lease of Winner in You. The album contained the song Birdsong—to join LaBelle in the Ordettes. LaBelle per- “On My Own,” which LaBelle sung with pop singer Mi- suaded her mother to let her drop out of high school in or- chael McDonald. 954 African Americans Lanier, Willie In 1991, LaBelle won her first Grammy Award for her support cancer research and help cancer patients. album Burnin‘ (1991), which features here celebrated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Mi- rhythm-and-blues songs “Somebody Loves You Baby” ami, Florida, has dedicated a research laboratory in and “When You’ve Been Blessed.” She won another LaBelle’s name. LaBelle created the Patti LaBelle Medi- Grammy Award in 1998 for Live! One Night Only cal Education Scholarship Fund to assist African Ameri- (1998). Other awards include the National Association can medical students. As a spokeswoman for the Na- for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Im- tional Minority AIDS Council’s “Live Long, Sugar” age Award for best performance in a variety series (1996, campaign and for the National Cancer Institute, LaBelle 1998) and Soul Train’s Lena Horne Lifetime Achieve- has extended her message of healthful living to the ment Award (2001). LaBelle was inducted into the world. Apollo Legend Hall of Fame in 2009. —Monica T. Tripp-Roberson As an actor, LaBelle has appeared in such situation comedies as A Different World (1990), Out All Night Further Reading (1992), and The Nanny (1994). She has appeared in such LaBelle, Patti, and Laura B. Randolph. Don’t Block the films as A Soldier’s Story (1984), Sing (1989), and Semi- Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime.NewYork: Pro (2008). She also starred in the musical film Idlewild Riverhead Books, 1996. Detailed autobiography cov- (2006). ers LaBelle’s early life and the challenges she faced in building a career. Significance _______. Patti’s Pearls: Lessons in Living Genuinely, LaBelle is passionate about singing and about healthy Joyfully, and Generously. New York: Warner Books, living. Her 1980’s hit “New Attitude” addresses the 2001. Provides insight into the positive philosophy of importance of taking control of one’s life. Although life LaBelle preaches. LaBelle first recorded the song in 1984, she rerecorded it Nathan, David.